Reenforced suitcase



. M. AXELMAN ET AL REENFORCED SUITCASE Original Filed May 3l Feb. 9 1926.

Feb. v9 -19.26.

M. AXELMAN ET A1.

REENFORCED SUI TGASE ,l 1921 2 SheepS-Sheetu? Original File May 3l ILE-gj@ Patented Feb. 9, 1926.

AUNITED STATES PATENT QFFECE.

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Application mea May 31, 1921, serial No; 474,048.

To ZZ whom t may concern.'

Be it known that we, MAYnR AXELMAN and Hanni? lV. AXELMAN, citizens of the United States, and residents of the city of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and use ful Improvements in a Reenforced Suitcase; and we do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being` had to the accompanying drawings, and to the numerals of reference marked thereon, which form a partof this specification.

This invention relates to suit or traveling cases of that type in which two complementary box-like sections are hinged together. In traveling, these cases are roughly handled by express men and others. They are thrown on the cars and on vehicles, frequently upon their ends or corners, with the result that they soon become damaged and broken, greatly decreasing the life thereof.

It is therefore an object of this invention to reenforce a suit case in such a way that it will endure the severe strains and usage to which it is put.

It is a further object of this invention to both transversely and longitudinally brace the case against stresses on any part there-of.

With these and other objects in view, which will become more apparent in the following description and disclosure in the drawings, our invention comprises the novel features of construction and combination-s hereinafter described and more specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of my invention, and in which similar reference numerals refer to similar features `in the different views: f

Figure 1 is a perspective side view of a suit case embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the suit case in open position with the lining removed.

Figure 3 is an end view of the suit case.

Figure fi is a section on the line 4-4 of Figure l.

Figure 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

As shown on the drawings:

For the purpose of illustrating this in vent-ion, we have shown a suit case comprising the complementary bonlike sections l Renewed November 9, 1925.

hinged together by the integral piece of leather that constitutesl the body of the case. Each box-like sectionis vertically or transversely braced` by means of resilient spring trips 2 secured by rivets 3 or the like to the inwardly extending openingframe Ll at the upper end. These spring strips follow the inner contourv of the box-like sections to the bottom hinge portion where they are freely movable. A transverse plate member 5 or the like may extend transversely over the hinge portion for slidably receiving the free ends of the spring strips 2 thereunder. For this purpose the plate 5 may be provided with upwardly bent or stamped. sections 6 to provide grooves to receive the free ends yof the strips 2 thereunder. Any number of spring bracing stripsmay be used; in the present instance three strips are used for bracing each boxlike section. i

In order to brace the case longitudinally to protect the same against shocks arising from throwing the case upon its end, or from other causes, each box-like section is provided with a spring strip 7 secured sub stantially midway of its height and fastened to the opening frame member 4 by mea-ns 'of rivet-s 8 o1 the like. The resilient braces 2 pass under the resilient braces 7 in which grooves are formed by bending sections equal to the width of the braces 2 inwardly so that said braces 2 can pass thereunder.

The vertical braces 2 and the longitudinal braces 7 being secured to the frame member el., form resilient supports 'or frame work for the leather covering of the case. The vertical braces may be sheathed by sewing the lining to the leather covering along each margin of said braces, or spiral pieces may `be used for sheathing said braces.

It i-s characteristic of this invention that the resilient bracings form resilient supports or resilient skeleton frames for the leather covering and absorb the shocks or thrusts arising from any rough handling of the suit case, and prevent sagging of the same at any place. It should also be noted that the braces 7 of the resilient skeleton frame act as a truss for the ends of the case so that the same cannot cave inwardly when thrown upon its ends.

. le are aware that numerous details of construction may be varied .through a wide range without departing from the principles lli) of this invention, and We therefore do not purpose limiting the patent granted otherwise than necessitated by the prior art.

W e claim as our invention:

l. In a suit case having a pair of hinged boxlike sections and an opening frame secured to said sections, transverse resilient braces conforming to the inner contour of said sections iixedly 'secured to said Aiframe at their upper end, a grooved plate for slidably anchoring the lovver ends 'of said braces upon the bottom of' said case, and horizontal `resilient braces having their ends secured to said 'frame with their-body portions conforming to the contour of said box-like sections to truss the ends of said case.

2. In a suit ease having a pair of hinged box-like sections and an opening vframe secured to said sections, transverse resilient braces conforming to the inner contour of said sections fixedly secured to said frame attheir upper end, a plate in the bottom of said case having rai-sed portions to form grooves for slidably anchoring the lower ends 'of said braces, and horizontal resilient braces Yhaving' their ends secured to said frame With their body portions conforming to the contour of said boxelike sections to truss the ends of the case, said transverse- MAYER AXELMAN. HARRY W. AXELMAN. 

